Tuesday 22 March 2011

A major strength of regional design reviews is that panel members are able – and willing – to visit sites. It helps them to gain a broad understanding of the development challenges for local authorities. Northwest design review recently did just this in two very different locations: the regeneration of Rochdale Town Centre and the idyllic setting of Lake Windermere.

Places Matter! have often found themselves in a position of having to demonstrate that good design is not necessarily more costly, or if it is, extra expenditure more than pays for itself. This is clearly illustrated by the Derwent Close project in Keswick.

The publication of Creating Inspirational Spaces: A Guide for Quality Public Realm in the Northwest was the first step towards raising aspirations for creating the highest quality external environm

Building in Context is a training programme that gives decision makers the tools to recognise how projects can respond well to their surroundings.